CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 16: Teammates Isaiah Hicks #4 and Theo Pinson #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean Smith Center on January 16, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

North Carolina gets back key player ahead of huge Duke game

This is a huge boost against the Blue Devils.

North Carolina is ranked No. 8 in the country and is sitting atop the ACC with a 9-2 conference record. Duke is ranked No. 18 and is right in the middle of the conference standings with a 6-4 record. While the game was going to be great regardless of who was playing in it, the Tar Heels fans will be happy to hear they just got back a key member of the team in time for the game.

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The Tar Heels are 6-0 when Pinson is in the lineup and it's only so few games because he started the season injured and hasn't seen action in quite a few games. However, his length and defensive versatility could be a huge boost against a team that boasts several mismatch-type players across the board in Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum and Luke Kennard.